MY LOPER LIFE: Trip to Haiti changes Neil’s outlook, motivates her to help children

Emma Neil
Emma Neil

“I have completed two mission trips to Haiti in 2012 and 2014. After I returned from my first trip, I was truly heartbroken. I cried myself to sleep in my warm cozy bed with my air conditioning humming above me. I wore a different outfit every day. I went out to eat and spent money on so many items I didn’t need. I struggled with knowing so many people in the world have so little. Most people would see the lack of material goods in Haiti as a challenge, but I don’t believe the Haitians live like that. For them, life doesn’t revolve around wearing the newest trends or having the most stuff. To them, life means more than that.

“Having the opportunity to travel to Haiti in high school truly did change my life. It showed me how important missions are to me and gave me a desire to continue helping people and traveling the world. I decided I want to become a teacher and continue to help children. I love learning about different cultures and countries, and I’m looking forward to teaching students from diverse backgrounds in the future.”

– Emma Neil | Junior | Social Science Ed. 7-12 | UNK Tennis | Papillion, NE